The Field Book: Or, Sports and Pastimes of the United Kingdom; Comp. from the Best Authorities, Ancient and Modern

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William Hamilton Maxwell
E. Wilson, 1833 - 616 pages

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Page 282 - ... tenacious. As this bird often builds against a perpendicular wall without any projecting ledge under, it requires its utmost efforts to get the first foundation firmly fixed, so that it may safely carry the superstructure. On this occasion the bird not only clings with its claws, but partly supports itself by strongly inclining its tail against the wall, making that a fulcrum ; and thus steadied, it works and plasters the materials into the face of the brick or stone. But then, that this work...
Page 494 - ... inches from the tip of the beak to the end of the tail when spread as far as possible flat.
Page 405 - I believe, however, that it depends chiefly on two things, the condition the ground is in, and the temperature of the air; both of which, I apprehend, should be moist, without being wet: when both are in this condition, the scent is then perfect; and vice versa, when the ground is hard, and the air dry, there seldom will be any scent. - It scarce ever lies with a north, or an east wind; a southerly wind without rain, and a westerly wind that is not rough, are the most favourable.
Page 361 - C, to put an equal sum each into a hat; C, who is the handicapper, makes a match for A and B, who, when they have perused it, put their hands into their pockets, and draw them out closed ; then they open them together, and if both have money in their hands, the match is confirmed : if neither have money, it is no match. In both cases the handicapper draws all the money out of the hat; but if one has money in his hand, and the other none, then it is no match : and he that has money in his hand is...
Page 14 - ... tallow, which will make a good light; and you must have a pan or plate made like a lanthorn, to carry your light in, which must have a great socket to hold the light, and carry it before you, on your breast, with a bell in your other hand, and of a great bigness, made in the manner of a cow-bell, but still larger ; and you must ring it always after one order.
Page 51 - It likewise makes a farther use of it in defending itself against the attacks of birds of prey. On such occasions, it throws out the water with such violence, as not unfrequently to baffle the pursuit of its enemy.
Page i - ... indiscriminately ; the little children are often seen upon the body or the neck of the mare, while these continue inoffensive and harmless, permitting them thus to play with and caress them without any injury. The Arabians never beat their horses : they treat them gently ; they speak to them, and seem to hold a discourse ; they use them as friends ; they never attempt to increase their speed by the whip, nor spur them but in cases of necessity. However, when this happens, they set...
Page 220 - This mighty army begins to put itself in motion in the spring: we distinguish this vast body by that name, for the word herring is derived from the German, Heer, an army, to express their numbers.

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